Apparatus for raising liquids



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

P. H. MERRILL.

APPARATUS FOR RAISING LIQUIDS. No. 533,225. Patented Jan 29, 1895.

LTHO-YWASHINOTON o r (NofModeL) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

F. H. MERRILL. APPARATUS FORRAIS ING LIQUIDS.

No. 533,225. Patented Jan. 29', 1 95.

NHED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK H. MERRILL, OF BOUND BROOK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE MERRILLMANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF NEW JERSEY.

APPARATUS FOR RAISING LIQUIDS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No..533,225, dated January29, 1 895. Application filed July 13, 1891- Serial No. 399,287- (Nomodel.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK H. MERRILL, of Bound Brook, in the State ofNew Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Apparatus forRaising Liquids, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is intended as an improvement upon the liquid raisingapparatus described in Letters Patent of the United States No. 403,124,dated May 4, 1889, to A; B. Merrill, and also Letters Patent of theUnited States No. 403,125, dated May 14, 1889, to myself, and also anapplication of my own for Letters Patent filed January 15, 1890, SerialNo. 337,009.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown in Figure 1 a verticalsection through the apparatus by which its construction may be readilyunderstood. Fig. 2 is a detail partly in section showing another view ofthe valve actuating mechanism. Fig. 3 is a detail section on the line soocof Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a section of so much of the apparatus as isnecessary to explain a modification.

A is a water receptacle divided into two compartments a, and a. In thebottom of these compartments are located openings closed by thevalves 1) and b. c is the delivery water pipe communicating with therespective compartments by passages as shown, the passages beingcontrolled respectively by the valves (1 d.

B is a valve adapted for directing compressed airreceived from the pipee alternately into the pipes fand f leading respectively to the chambersa and a so as to deliver the compressed air from the valve B at the topof said compartments respectively. It and h are pipes extending to nearthe bottoms thereof and passing out through the tops of thosecompartments and upward to other mechanism about to be described. One ofthe pipes, as h, extends to a somewhat lower level than the other.Within each of these pipes at the bottom, is an upwardly opening valveg. A proper level for the surface of the surrounding Water in which theapparatus being described is partially submerged, is indicated at y y,Fig. 1.

O is a chamber adapted to contain mechanism which may properly bedesignated either as a motor, a detector or a governor, being operatedwhen the entrance of the compressed air into the chamber O drives thewater therein below a certain level. For this purpose, I recommend theuse of the float. t'. A pipe g connects the pipes h and h with thechamber 0 near its top. The floatt' is mounted upon a leverj, theposition of which controls the opening and closing of the compressed airvalve In in a passage is leading from the chamber 0 to a passagel whichcommunicates in turn with a space m, and this in turn with a space Rthrough the openings 0 and 0,. The space n is below the piston 19 whichreciprocates in the cylinder q, being also provided with a stem 1"encircled by a coil spring r in antagonism to which the piston movesupward. The tension of this spring may be adjusted by varying theposition of the washer r on the valve stem. The spring r may be omittedin case the weight attached to the piston is s'ufficient to perform itsfunction and therefore to act as its equivalent. To the piston ispivoted a link 8 which is free to vibrate from the position shown infull lines, Fig. 1, to the position shown in dotted lines and viceversa. The upper end of this link is fitted with a pin 8' adapted to runfrom end to end of the slot shown in the oscillating lever 15 which ispivoted, as shown, at t. The slot in the lever t which is lettered t isprovided at each end with an upward extension t into which the pin 5 isthrust by any upward pressure of the link .9 but out of which it ispulled by any downward pressure of the link s. A link a pivotedrespectively to the lever tand the valve B compels the latter to respondto the motions of the lever t. The lever t is surrounded by a casingoconnecting the cylinder q with the valve cylinder B, and this casing maybe provided with an opening v.

s is a stationary stop provided for limiting the extent of oscillationof the lever t in both directions.

to is a pin attached to the piston 19 and extending downward through anopening in the case g. This pin fits loosely in the opening so as topermit the escape of compressed air through the opening around it; thefunction of the pin being by its motions up and down with the piston, tokeep the opening from becoming clogged as it would otherwise be likelyto do in consequence of its necessarily very small dimensions.

to is simply a guide-pin for the lever j.

Thewater escape pipecis continued through the passage 0' around thechamber 0 to the pipe 0 and at the bottom of the chamber C itcommunicates with the interior of that chamber through a passage 0 Theopening to this passage from the chamber 0 may be nearly closed by thevalve vi connected with the float 'i and moving between guide-pins Whenthis float is down it is prevented from being completely seated by shortstuds 2' which are just long enough to leave a narrow opening betweenthe chamber 0 and the water passage 0.

In order to describe the mode of operation of this apparatus, I willsuppose the parts to be in the position shown in Fig. 1, when compressedair will be entering through the pipe 6 and will be directed to the pipef by the valve B. At the same time the interior of the pipe f will be incommunication with the open air through the chamber within the casing 41and the opening 12 therein. The compressed air passing downward throughthe pipefwill enter the chamber a and drive the water therefrom into thepipe 0 and also into the pipe h until the level of the water within thechamber a has been reduced below the bottom of the pipe 77. whereuponthe compressed air will pass through the pipes h and g into the upperportion of the chamber 0. When the operation has reached this point, thecompressed air from the pipef will exert pressure against the watercontained in chamber 0 as well as against that contained in chamberaandwill continue to force the water contained in chamber 0 outinto the pipe0' through the opening 0 so long as the float 2' remains in the positionshown. As soon however, as the water in chamber 0 has been reduced solow that its buoyancy no longer supports the float 9', that float willfall so as to close the valve '5 as far as the studs 6 will admit of andalso to open the valve 70. Thereupon the compressed air will find anexit from chamber 0 through passages Z, m, 0, and 0' into the space 7%where it will exert an upward pressure upon the piston sufficient toovercome the spring r and force thepiston upward in the cylinder q; theopening around the pin to being too small to exhaust the air withsufficient rapidity to interfere with this operation. The upwardmovement of the piston p thrusts the pin .9 upward into the slotextension or notch 25 and continuing, causes the levert to oscillatefrom the position shown in full lines to the position shown in dotted.

lines, Fig. 1. This carries the valve B from the upper end of its stroketo the lower end of its stroke and simultaneously makes connectionbetween the compressed air pipe 6 and the pipe-f and also betweenpipefand the open air.

i is a weight cast on the lever 25 which acts as a counterpoise for theweight of the main valve on the opposite side of the fulcrum. Nowhowever, the conditions existing in the whole apparatus change. The pipef having communication at its top with the open air, rclieves allpressure within the compartment causing valves 01 and g to close andvalve 1) to open so as to fill the compartment 0, with water from thesupply in which it is immersed. At the same time the pressure ofcompressed air entering compartment a through the pipe f will cause thevalve b to close and the valve (1 to open and will cause the waterwithin the compartment a to be forced into the water exit pipe 0 andalso into pipe h. This water will pass from the exit pipe 0 into thepipes c and c and so on, to the point of delivery; but some of it willalso pass through the passage-way c and under some conditions ofpressure also through the pipes h and g into the chamber 0 which it willquickly fill so as to raise the float t and close the valve 70. Now thecompressed air beneath the piston p is cut off from the supply andescapes through the opening around pin to so that the spring r returnsthe piston to the position shown in Fig. 1 carrying also the pin 8 intothe position shown in dotted lines in that figure where it is ready uponbeing again forced upward, to oscillate the lever 25 back into its firstposition and shift valve 13.

The forcing of the water out of the compartment 0t into the water exitpipe 0 will continue until the level has been reduced below the lowerend of the pipe 77/ when the valve at the lower end thereofcorresponding with the valve g will open and the compressed air willflow through the pipes h and g into the upper portion of the chamber 0.This compressed air will now repeat the operations already described asbeing performed by the compressed air from chamber a and resulting inthe shifting of the valve B back again to the position shown in Fig. 1,whereupon the pressure will be transferred from the pipe f to the pipe1' and the operation first described will be repeated. In this way thepressure of the compressed air will be alternately applied, first in oneof the compartments of the chamber and then in the other, so as to forcetheir contents successively through the water exit pipe 0; the chamber 0and the motor, governor or detector located therein operating todetermine for both the compartments of the chamber A when-the watertherein has been reduced to such a level as to make a change of pressurefrom one to the other necessary.

I will now describe the modification shown in Fig. 4 which is onlyclaimed in this application in so far as it is generically like theapparatus'already described, the details to be claimed in a separateapplication. This modification has, like the first form, a compressedair supply pipe 6, a valve B, pipes f and f connecting the valve chamberwith the compartments a and a respectively, of chamber A, the pipes hand h leading from within the compartments respectively to the pipe gwhich communicates with the chamber 0 near its top. The chamber A isconstructed as described and shown in connection with the first form, asare also the lower portions of the pipes h, h and c. The water escapepipe 0 connects with the openings 0 leading into the bottom ,of thechamber 0 through a branch pipe 0 The float '6 within the chamber 0 isprovided with a valve 11 to close the opening a and also with a valve 70for closing the passage-way k. The form of construction by which thepower of the compressed air entering the passage Z is transmitted to theshifting of the valve B is however, different in this modification fromthat in the form first described,as I will now proceed to show.

Twocylinders 1 and 2 are located in alignment with the cylinder B of thevalve B. The cylinder 2 is larger in diameter than the cylinder 1.Within the cylinder 1 is located a piston 3 and within the cylinder 2, apiston 4. A passage 5 connects passage Z with the interior of thecylinder 2 between the two pistons. A passage 6 connects the passagelwith the valve chamber 7 within which is located a double conical valve8. The valve stem 9 is mounted, so as to be capable of re .ciprocating,at one end in the casting 10 and and at the other end in the piston 4and its stem 12. Its bearing in the stem 12 is long enough so that it isproperly supported at all parts of the stroke of the piston 4. Thedistance between the valve B and the piston 3 is-limited by the stem 11connecting it with the valve B and the distance between the piston 4 andthe piston 3, is fixed by the stem 12 by which they are connected. Acoil spring 13 interposed between the piston 4 and a pin 14 in the valvestem 9, exerts a pressure tending to thrust the valve stem 9 in adirection opposite to the arrow. A coil spring 15 interposed between thevalve 8 and the casting 10 tends to thrust that valve and its stem 9, inthe direction of the arrow.

16, 16 are orifices connecting the valve chamber? with the space 17 infront of the piston 4.

The operation is as follows: Starting with the parts in the positionshown, when the air has forced the water out of chamber a sufficientlyto allow the float to fall, the valve is will open and allow thecompressed air to fill passage Z. It will pass thence through passage 5into cylinder 2 and also through passage 6, valve chamber? and passages16 into space 17. The pressure of the air on the two pistons combined inthe direction of the arrow, will be greater than its pressure againstthepiston 4 in the opposite direction, and they will both be forced to theopposite ends of their strokes, carrying the valve B before them. Thevalve is will now close and the confined compressed air will escapethrough the very small orifices 18 and 19. As soon as the valve 8 isrelieved from the pressure of the air it Will be controlled solely bythe springs 13 and therefore the valve 8 will move to the opposite endof its stroke from that shown in the drawings. When valve 7.: againopens, the compressed air from passage Z will find itself out off fromspace 17 by the position of valve 8 and will exert its pressure onpistons 3 and 4 solely from the space between them; but 4 being largerthan 3 in area, the pressure in direction opposite to the arrow willprevail and the pistons will be forced back to the position shown,dragging the valve with them. This will bring the force of spring 13 tobear on the valve stem 9 in on position to spring 15 and therefore, assoon as the compressed air is again out ofi by the closing of valve thevalve 8. will be returned by the spring 13 to the position shown.

In the foregoing description, I have in both modifications described theemployment of the water exit pipe 0 and in practice I believe that thepresence of this pipe will add materially to the success of theapparatus, and under some conditions will be found to be indispensable.In certain cases however, as where small quantities of water are to beraised. and the valve mechanism is comparatively near the watercompartments, this water passage 0 may be dispensed with, the otherparts remaining substantially the same. In this case, the water fromeither compartment, as for instance, the compartment a, will be forcedtherefrom wholly through the pipes h and g and the chamber 0 and thepassage 0 into the delivery pipe 0', and the change of condition in thechamber 0 which serves to operate the float therein will be caused bythe compressed air having followed the water up through the pipes h andg and into the chamher 0 to such an extent as to force the water withinthe chamber 0 below the level which supports the float.

Having now described by way of illustration a form of apparatus suitablefor carrying out my invention, I do not desire to be un derstood aslimiting myself thereto since .I am aware that many of its elements maybe changed in form or arrangement or even eliminated without departingfrom the principle of my invention.

I claim- 1. In a liquid raising apparatus in combination, two primaryliquid compartments provided with inlet liquid and gas passages, asupplementary liquid compartment, a float adapted to be buoyed up bywater therein, passages connecting the supplementary compartment witheach of the primary liquid compartments, a valve mechanism directing thegas alternately into said primary compartments and means whereby saidvalve echanism is controlled by said float, substantially as described.

2. In a liquid raising apparatus in combination, two primary liquidcompartments provided with inlet liquid and gas passages, asupplementary liquid compartment, a motor, passages connecting thesupplementary compartment with each of the primary liquid compartments,a valve mechanism directing the gas alternately into said primarycompartments, mechanism operating upon said valve and adapted to beoperated by compressed gas, a passage communicating with said mechanismfrom the supplementary compartment, a valve controlling said passage andconnection between said last valve and said motor, substantially asdescribed.

3. In a liquid raising apparatus in combination two primary liquidcompartments provided with inlet liquid and gas passages, asupplementaryliquid compartment, a motor, passages connecting thesupplementary compartment with each of the primary liquid compartmentsat or near the bottom thereof, through which liquid passes, otherpassages connecting each of said primary compartments at or near thebottom with the supplementary compartment at or near the top for thepassage of compressed gas, a valve mechanism directing the gasalternately into said primary compartments and means whereby said valvemechanism is controlled by said motor, substantially as described.

4. In a liquid raising apparatus in combination two primary liquidcompartments provided with inlet liquid and gas passages, asupplementary liquid compartment, a float adapted to be buoyed up bywater therein, passages connecting the supplementary compartment witheach of the primary liquid compartments, a check valve in each passage,a valve mechanism directing the gas alternately into said primarycompartments and means whereby said valve mechanism is controlled bysaid fioat, substantially as described.

5. In a liquid raising apparatus in combination two primary liquidcompartments provided with inlet liquid and gas passages, a-

supplementary liquid compartment, a motor, passages connecting thesupplementary compartment with each of the primary liquid compartments,a water delivery pipe distinct from said passages connected with saidsupplementary compartments, a valve mechanism directing the gasalternately into said primary compartments and means whereby said valvemechanism is controlled by said motor, substantially as described.

6. In a liquid raising apparatus in combination two primary liquidcompartments provided with inlet liquid and gas passages, asupplementary liquid compartment, a motor,

passages connecting the supplementary compartment with each of theprimary liquid compartments, a water delivery pipe distinct from saidpassages connected with both of said primary compartments, a valvemechanism directing the gas alternately into said primary compartmentsand means whereby said valve mechanism is controlled by said motor,substantially as described.

7. In a liquid raising apparatus in combination two primary liquidcompartments provided with inlet liquid and gas passages, asupplementary liquid compartment, a motor, passages connecting thesupplementary compartment with each of the primary liquid compartments,a water delivery pipe distinct from said passages connected with all ofsaid compartments, a valve mechanism directing the gas alternately intosaid primary compartments and means whereby said valve mechanism iscontrolled by said motor, substantially as described.

8. In a liquid raising apparatus in combination two primary liquidcompartments provided with inlet liquid and gas passages, asupplementary liquid compartment, a motor, passages connecting thesupplementary compartment with each of the primary liquid compartments,a water delivery pipe, a passage connecting the same with thesupplementary chamber, a valve adapted to only partially close saidpassage, a valve mechanism directing the gas alternately into saidprimary compartments and means whereby said valvemechanism is controlledby said motor, substantially as described.

9. In a liquid raising apparatus in combination two primary liquidcompartments provided with inlet liquid and gas passages, asupplementary liquid compartment provided with an ingress and two egressopenings, a motor, passages connecting the ingress opening with each ofthe primary liquid compartments, valves whereby both of said egressopenings are controlled, a valve mechanism directing the gas alternatelyinto said primary compartments and means whereby said egress openingvalves are controlled by said motor, substantially as described.

10. In combination with the valve B the following mechanism whereby thesame is moved, viz: a tilting lever, a piston adapted to be forced inone direction by compressed air, a spring tending to force the piston inthe opposite direction and a connection interposed between the lever andpiston and adapted to run from end to end of the lever, substantially asdescribed. 7

11. In combination with a compressed fluid inclosure containing anexhaustoritice, a pin slightly less in diameter than the orificeextendingthrough said orifice and means whereby said pin isreciprocated, the said pin being as long as or longer than its strokewhereby it is maintained continuously within said orifice as itreciprocates, substantially as described.

12. In a liquid raising apparatus in combination two primary liquidcompartments provided with inlet liquid and gas passages, asupplementary liquid compartment, a motor ICO IIO

therein, passages connecting the supplementary compartment with each ofthe primary liquid compartments, a valve mechanism directing the gasalternatelyinto said primary compartments, a piston mechanism wherebyeach successive advance of the piston is transmitted to the valve in anopposite direction, a valve controlled by said motor whereby fluid isintermittently admitted against the piston and mechanism whereby thepiston is returned when the last named valve is closed, substantially asdescribed.

13. In a liquid raising apparatus in combination, two primary liquidcompartments, a secondary liquid compartment, a passage connecting thelatter with each of the former, a liquid entrance and a gas entrance toeach of said primary compartments, aliquid exit and gas exit from saidsecondary compartment, a motor operated as the liquid leaves saidsecondary compartment and means whereby the gas supply is cut off fromsaid secondary and one of said primary compartments at the same time bythe operation of said motor, substantially as described.

14:. In combination, the valve mechanism, the rocker whereby it isoperated, the piston and a link interposed between the piston and rockerwith the latter of which it makes a running connection extending fromone side to the otherof the rocker fulcrum, substantially as described.

15. In combination, the valve mechanism, the piston, means interposedbetween the piston and the Valve mechanism whereby the motion of thepiston is transmitted to said valve mechanism, means whereby the pistonis retracted, a compressed gas supply pipe communicating with said valvemechanism and passages controlled by said valve mechanism leading fromthe supply pipe to behind the piston whereby the piston is forcedforward to operate said valve mechanism by the compressed gas,substantially as described.

16. In combination with the valve mechanism the following mechanismwhereby the same is moved, viz: a tilting lever, a piston adapted to beforced in one direction by compressed air, a power device tending toforce the piston in the opposite direction and a connection interposedbetween the tilting lever and the piston and adapted to go from end toend of the lever, substantially as described.

FRANK H. MERRILL.

Witnesses:

J. E. GREER, FRED S. KEMPER.

